An implantable medical lead exhibits reduced heating under MRI conditions. The lead includes a multi-layer coil conductor including an inner coil layer, a middle coil layer disposed around the inner coil layer, and an outer coil layer disposed around the middle coil layer. Each of the coil layers is characterized by one or more of a filar thickness, a coil pitch, or a coil diameter configured such that the coil conductor exhibits a high inductance when exposed to MRI radiation. Each of the coil layers is electrically connected to the other coil layers to provide parallel conductive paths resulting in a coil conductor resistance suitable for defibrillation lead applications.